Process Improvement for Ankle Foot Orthoses Production
| dc.contributor.author | Gibson, Ben | |
| dc.contributor.author | Pankratz, Heather | |
| dc.contributor.author | Pries, David | |
| dc.contributor.author | Rosenberg, Samantha | |
| dc.contributor.examiningcommittee | O'Brien, Sean (Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering) | en_US |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Labossiere, Paul (Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering) | en_US |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2021-05-17T15:49:10Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2021-05-17T15:49:10Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2019-12-04 | |
| dc.degree.discipline | Mechanical Engineering | en_US |
| dc.degree.level | Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | The goal of this project is to provide a solution to improve the fabrication process of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) for the Rehabilitation Center for Children (RCC) Orthotic Department. The client’s needs were identified and categorized by the team, and used to create a list of objectives. The recommended process improvement strategy is designed to decrease AFO lead time while increasing productivity and streamlining workflow for the Orthotic Department staff. As productivity increases, the production capacity of AFOs increases accordingly. The process improvement strategy was generated by using a two-phase system. The first phase investigated high-level operations management strategies. The strategies selected were then used to develop the second phase of methods directly applicable to RCC’s needs. These proposed concepts improve AFO production and provide a mechanism for maintaining results of the plan. The engineered process improvement plan is divided into five concepts, which when used in conjunction will provide the client with expected optimal results. The first concept of the plan is the immediate scanning and modifying the cast after the patient’s initial consultation, which eliminates the non-value added wait time currently in the process. The second concept of revising the foam mold cleanup process removes the need for exchanging the molds between the clinicians and technicians by marking up the fiberglass cast with the pad and trim lines. The third concept is the addition of mock pads during the initial casting. This process simplifies the modification of the 3D model by incorporating relief areas during the casting process through the addition of mock pads under the fiberglass cast. The fourth concept of process standardization utilizes pre-cut standard sized pads and cork wedges to pulled off the shelf during AFO production rather that custom-making these items. The fifth recommendation includes all continuous improvement strategies to maintain and sustain these changes and monitor their results. The continuous improvement strategies proposed include organizational involvement strategies, areas where cross-training could improve productivity, and ways to deal with organizational inertia. The proposed improvement strategy provides methods that will eliminate non-value added time, while streamlining the fabrication process to improve the productivity level in […] | en_US |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Rehabilitation Centre for Children | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/1993/35645 | |
| dc.rights | open access | en_US |
| dc.title | Process Improvement for Ankle Foot Orthoses Production | en_US |
| dc.type | Report | en_US |